Biffy Clyro - Liverpool Academy

by Gavin McInally
22 February 2008

Having exhausted the UK touring circuit with astonishing professionalism over recent years, not to mention propping up at every field with a tent during the festival season, the Kilmarnock trio have been left with no choice but to dust off the cobwebs and check the electricity supply on forgotten stages in Preston and Inverness in search of a fresh crowd.

And tonight, as they get set to play to the hubcap snatchers of Liverpool, there's simply no escaping the truth that the Scottish rockers could bash together spoons in Bristol and their devotees would gladly snap up the tickets.

The sweaty Academy is rammed from front stage security to the overpriced bar as Simon Neil and the Johnstone brothers appear to throw the cat among the pigeons in the shape of the high-octane opener 'Saturday Superhouse'.

Never ones to be too chatty, or even polite, Biffy pluck out 19 of their finest efforts from their back catalogue without any real surprises, and with no weak links it's testament to their talent that the stunning 'Strung To Your Ribcage', 'Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys' and 'Some Kind of Wizard' have to wait for an airing another night.

Front man Simon's only real acknowledgement of the 1,000 or so Scousers scrambling for the chance to rub the sweat into his tattooed torso, is to introduce the three-minute burst of pure rock adrenline in 'Get Fucked Stud.'

The set list is beautiful in structure with ridiculously catchy 'Who's Got A Match' sharing print with the mosh friendly 'Glitter And Trauma' and a touching solo rendition of 'Machines'. The juxtaposition of closers 'As Dust Dances' and '57' is another perfect example of the group's ability to take emotions in very different musical directions as they wrap up another flawless victory with a new city under their mesmerising spell.

Next stops, John O' Groats and Weymouth.

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Photographer: Shirlaine Forrest

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